The UBC's model of Municipal Environmental Auditing (MEA) is now being implemented in two Lithuanian member cities: Panevezys and Klaipeda. The MEA in Panevezys was launched by the decision of the City Council in December. The intention of the Council decision is to gather strong support for the process within the city administration and political leadership. This is very important for the success of MEA, as the process affects all departments in the city. Klaipeda will start a little bit later, in April-May '99. The reason for this delay is the city's tremendous activity in international co-operation - there are almost too many other co-operation projects going on right now!

Since January, the information gathering phase has been going on in Panevezys. The work is being carried out by a team of four Lithuanian project workers assisted by two Finnish trainees and lead by Ms Zita Tverkute, the head of the Environmental Department of Panevezys. The ECAT-Lithuania (Environmental Centre for Administration and Technology) has also proved to be a good partner in the project. Mr. Pekka Pietilä, the leader of ECAT-LT, has generously provided his assistance in contact work and team-building/human resources. The Commission on Environment supports the activities in both cities and acts as an overall co-ordinator of the project.

These new MEAs are funded by the Nordic Minister Council (NoM). This funding of EURO 45.000 will enable the UBC Commission on Environment, in addition to the new MEAs in Klaipeda and Panevezys, to finish the ongoing MEA in Pärnu, Estonia. However, in order to reach the overall goal of running at least one MEA in each of the Baltic States, Russia and Poland, further funding will have to be applied for. Luckily an option for further funding was included in the decission of the NoM. Other potential funding sources are the national ministries and the European Commission, which funded the pilot MEA in Tallinn under the LIFE Program.

The UBC MEA Model is composed in such a manner, that great advantages and synergies can be reached through twin city co-operation. The running of MEAs is also possible by mutual co-operation of member cities. The Finnish cities of Pori and Turku are running MEAs in co-operation in 1999, and the UBC Commission on Environment Secretariat will follow this activity and also encourage other cities to follow the example. One of the intentions with the MEA model of the UBC is also to provide a practical tool that can be used in twin city co-operation.